Certified Medical Assistant Program Woodridge IL

How to Pick a Medical Assistant Program near Woodridge Illinois

Woodridge IL medical assistant checking pulseNow that you have decided to join the gratifying field of health care and enroll in a medical assistant school near Woodridge IL, it’s time to choose a school that will provide the appropriate training. But just how do you undertake comparing and evaluating schools so that you ultimately enroll in the best one? Most future students start by checking out the medical assistant schools that are closest to their residences and then lean toward those that have the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are extremely important such things as accreditation, job assistance and internship programs are important factors as well. You may want to look into some online medical assistant programs as an alternative as well (more on that later). The bottom line is that before you select a program you must finish your due diligence and compare all relevant aspects of the schools you are examining. And to help you with that process, we have furnished a few questions that you should ask each of the colleges on your “maybe” list. But before we start that review, let’s briefly talk about the role of a medical assistant and the kind of training and credentials that are offered.

The Duties of Medical Assistants

medical assistant with Woodridge IL nursing home patientThe function of a medical assistant can be varied as well as challenging. Basically their function is ensure that the Woodridge IL clinics, hospitals and other healthcare institutions where they work run successfully. Depending on the type or size of facility, they can be more of an administrative assistant, a clinical assistant, or in smaller practices both. They are tasked with providing direct support to the nurses, doctors and other medical professionals but may also be found working in an office or at the front desk. A few of the many functions of a medical assistant include:

  • Filling out insurance forms and submitting claims
  • Scheduling and confirming appointments
  • Weighing and taking patients vital signs
  • Collecting blood and other fluid and tissue specimens
  • Preparing rooms and instruments for doctors
  • Supplying general support during examinations and procedures

Although medical assistants may carry out almost any duty they are authorized to under Illinois law, some prefer to specialize in a specific area and obtain certification. Two of the options offered are for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Medical Assistant Courses

Compared to most other healthcare professionals, medical assistants are not mandated to become certified, licensed, or to obtain a college degree. However, many Woodridge IL health care employers choose to hire graduates of an accredited medical assistant training school (we’ll cover accreditation later ) that are certified. There are basically 2 options provided for a formal education. The first and quickest way to becoming a medical assistant is to earn a certificate or diploma. These programs typically take about 1 year to finish, a few as little as 6 to 9 months. They are created to teach the fundamentals of medical assisting and ready graduates for entry level positions. The second option is to earn an Associate Degree, which are typically 2 year programs offered at community and junior colleges in addition to trade and vocational schools. They are more expansive in nature than the diploma or certificate programs, and include liberal arts courses in addition to the medical assistant classes. They frequently have a clinical element involving an internship with a local healthcare facility. Associate Degrees are routinely a pre-requisite for and credits can be applied to a four year Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Assistant Studies or a similar field.

Medical Assistant Online Colleges

woman attending medical assistant school online in Woodridge ILThere are a number of accredited medical assistant programs accessible online as well. They are a good choice for individuals who may not have the time to go to classes on campus but could work them in if attended at home. This is an especially good solution for students who continue to work full-time while pursuing their degree or certificate. As an additional benefit, many online schools have lower tuitions than the more conventional on-campus alternatives. Supplemental expenses such as for textbooks, commuting and school supplies may be lessened as well. Just bear in mind that all requirements for clinical training or internships must still be met, but they can typically be completed in Woodridge IL area medical facilities. If you can earn a degree without the formal structure of participating in supervised classes on-campus, then this mode of getting your education may be the ideal option for you. Between the online courses and the clinical training, everything needed to attain proficiency to work as a medical assistant is provided.

Certification Options for Medical Assistants

As previously mentioned, becoming certified is not a legal mandate, but is an excellent option for graduates who wish to advance their careers. Not only will it help in attaining a job after graduation, but it may also enhance initial salary negotiations. Many potential Woodridge IL medical employers just will not employ a medical assistant that has not received certification or accredited formal training. Among the most popular and perhaps the most respected certification is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) provided by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). In order to apply for the CMA exam, a candidate must have graduated or will be graduating within 30 days from an accredited medical assistant program. Other certifications are offered as well, for instance the CMAA and the CCMA that we previously mentioned which are provided by the NHA.

What to Ask Medical Assistant Schools

Questions to ask Woodridge IL medical assistant programsBefore you can start examining your medical assistant school alternatives, you have to choose which kind of credential you want to earn, and if you want to attend classes on-campus or online from home. Once those decisions have been made, you can start the procedure of comparing medical assistant schools. As we discussed at the opening of this article, some students limit their searches to the colleges that are closest to Woodridge IL with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are significant qualifications, they are not the only ones. There are a number of additional issues that you should explore when researching schools. To assist you with that task, following are some questions that you should ask about each of the programs you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Medical Assistant Course Accredited? There are several great reasons to make sure that the college you enroll in is accredited. First, accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive will be both comprehensive and of the highest quality. Next, if you intend to become certified, you must complete an accredited program. Two of the accepted organizations for accreditation are the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). If your program is not accredited by either of these agencies, you will not be allowed to take the CMA exam. Also, if you intend on applying for a student loan or financial assistance, they are normally not offered for non-accredited programs. And last, as mentioned previously, a number of potential Woodridge IL employers will not hire a medical assistant who has not graduated from an accredited school.

What is the School’s Passing Percentage? The majority of accredited medical assistant schools create their programs to prepare students to pass one or more certification examinations. To begin with, you need to determine which of the certifications the programs you are reviewing are preparing their students for. If you are interested in taking the CMA for example, then obviously you will want to choose a program targeting that certification. Next, learn what the school’s passage rate is for the certification and compare it to the national average. Doing this is just one of the methods to help evaluate the quality of a school’s program. Of course programs with low rates are ones that you will want to avoid.

Which Programs are Offered? As we previously covered, there are basically two routes to obtaining medical assistant training. You can select a diploma or certificate program and receive entry level training in the shortest amount of time, starting at just 6 months, however the average is closer to one year. Or you can decide to obtain an Associate Degree and get a more comprehensive education that will take approximately two years to complete in a community college or trade school. Whatever program you elect to enroll in, verify that the schools you are looking at offer the type of program you have an interest in.

Are Internships Provided? Numerous medical assistant schools sponsor internship programs with Woodridge IL area medical care providers. They are a great method to get hands-on clinical experience and training. They can also assist students establish relationships within the Woodridge healthcare community. And as an additional benefit, they are an asset on resumes and for job interviews as well.

Is Job Placement Support Furnished? Finding that first job can be a daunting task for graduating medical assistant students unless they obtain a little help from a job placement program. Verify that the colleges you are researching provide job placement assistance in the Woodridge IL area and ask what their placement rate is. If a program has a high job placement rate for its students, it indicates that it has a good reputation within the health care community. It also indicates that it has a large network of employers to help place students in positions.

How Large are the Classes? Class size can be an indication of how much individual instruction you will receive during your training. Small classes and classes with a higher teacher to student ratio are more prone to offer greater access to instructors and face to face interaction. If convenient, try to sit in on a few classes before enrolling in a college to see what the teaching environment is like and just how much attention the students get.

Is Class Scheduling Convenient? If you anticipate attending a medical assistant program while you continue to work on a full time basis, it’s important that the school you enroll in provides classes that fit your schedule. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Woodridge IL, confirm that those times are offered. You may be able to fit your classes in more easily with an online program, but you will also need to schedule any clinical training or internships that will be required. Additionally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes that you might have to miss due to illness, work or family issues.

Enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program near Woodridge Illinois?

If you are considering attending a medical assistant school in the Woodridge IL area, following is some background information that may be both interesting and useful regarding your future campus location.

Woodridge, Illinois

Woodridge is a village in DuPage County, Illinois, with portions in Will and Cook counties, and a south-western suburb of Chicago. It uses the 630 and 331 area codes. The population was 32,971 at the 2010 census.[3] Woodridge is the home of the Home Run Inn pizzeria chain and was the home of Pabst Brewing Company from 2006-2011.[4]

Woodridge was incorporated on August 24, 1959, with less than 500 residents, on a wooded area of high ground overlooking the DuPage River's East Branch. Woodridge is a young community with the vast majority of its homes, businesses, and churches constructed after the 1950s. Woodridge was founded by a housing developer, Albert Kaufman,[5] who was largely responsible for the creation of the village.

According to the 2010 census, Woodridge has a total area of 9.582 square miles (24.82 km2), of which 9.42 square miles (24.40 km2) (or 98.31%) is land and 0.162 square miles (0.42 km2) (or 1.69%) is water.[8]

Choose the Ideal Medical Assistant Training Woodridge IL

Woodridge IL medical assistant studentIt’s important to begin your new career on the right foot by choosing a medical assistant program that will furnish the proper training. Whether you’re goal is to begin a career in medical care starting out as a medical assistant or to practice medical assistance as your lifetime career, you need to get the right info on available programs before making your selection. There are such a large number of colleges providing training these days that you can make a selection based on your personal preferences and individual circumstances. And as we have covered in this article, make certain that the program you choose is accredited by an acknowledged agency, such as the CAAHEP. This is particularly important if you plan on taking the CMA certification exam. You came to this site initially because you had an interest in Certified Medical Assistant Program. But irrespective of the type of credential that you plan to earn or if you have decided to attend either an on-campus or online school, be sure to ask the questions we have provided so you can compare programs and make an informed decision. And by choosing the best program you can ultimately start a rewarding career as a medical assistant in Woodridge IL.

More Medical Locations in Illinois

  • Medical Assistant Vocational Schools Iuka IL
  • Medical Assistant Class Requirements Algonquin IL
  • Fast Medical Assistant Programs Oak Brook IL
  • Medical Assistant Degree Programs Elmhurst IL
  • Evening Medical Assistant Programs Ashley IL
  • Medical Assistant Degree Requirements Decatur IL
  • Medical Assistant Online School Garden Prairie IL
  • Medical Assistant Program Cost Groveland IL
  • Become A Certified Medical Assistant Fast Patoka IL
  • Medical Assistant Information Steward IL
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 648

    Advanced Wellness Center
    3 Reviews
    Chiropractors, Weight Loss Centers, Pain Management
    Phone:
    6325 Main St, Ste 120, Woodridge, IL 60517

    Advanced Pediatric Care
    4 Reviews
    Family Practice, Pediatricians
    Phone:
    215 Remington Blvd, Ste B, Bolingbrook, IL 60440

    UI Health O'Hare Clinic
    7 Reviews
    Walk-in Clinics
    Phone:
    O'hare International Airport, Terminal 2, Chicago, IL 60666

    Prime Care of Naperville
    4 Reviews
    Internal Medicine, Family Practice
    Phone:
    931 W 75th St, Ste 127, Naperville, IL 60565

    Stonybrook Center
    5 Reviews
    Addiction Medicine
    Phone:
    1506 E Roosevelt Rd, Wheaton, IL, IL 60187

    Advanced Urgent Care
    33 Reviews
    Urgent Care
    Phone:
    10 Orland Square Dr, Ste A1, Orland Park, IL 60462

    LifeWeigh Bariatrics
    7 Reviews
    Doctors, Weight Loss Centers, Nutritionists
    Phone:
    2801 Finley Rd, Ste 220, Downers Grove, IL 60515

    Urgent Care Immediate Care Center of Westmont
    30 Reviews
    Urgent Care, Diagnostic Imaging, Walk-in Clinics
    Phone:
    29 N Cass Ave, Westmont, IL 60559

    Crescent Medical Service, PC
    1 Reviews
    Home Health Care, Osteopathic Physicians
    Phone:
    14855 S Van Dyke Rd, Ste 294, Plainfield, IL 60544

    Children's Wellness Center
    7 Reviews
    Pediatricians
    Phone:
    16505 S 106th Ct, Orland Park, IL 60467